Facilitation of self-adjusting network uplink noise balancing

ABSTRACT

Compensation is provided for foreign interference within a cell. Uplink (UL) noise on an UL channel to a first base station (BS) device is detected. Whether the UL noise includes interference is determined. Interference can include any device other than a mobile device configured to communicate with a BS device associated with a cell. The first service area of the BS device can be modified, e.g., scaled based on determining that the UL noise includes interference. Scaling can include reducing the first service area to a second service area that does not include an imbalance region in the first service area caused by the foreign interference. Scaling can be effected by reducing the amount of downlink power from the first BS device, or by adjusting a re-selection parameter associated with reducing the range of the BS device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject application is a continuation of, and claims priority toeach of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/962,108, filed Apr. 25,2018, and titled “FACILITATION OF SELF-ADJUSTING NETWORK UPLINK NOISEBALANCING,” which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/242,056 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,986,439), filed Aug. 19, 2016,and titled “FACILITATION OF SELF-ADJUSTING NETWORK UPLINK NOISEBALANCING,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/874,954 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,445,376), filed Oct. 5, 2015,and titled “FACILITATION OF SELF-ADJUSTING NETWORK UPLINK NOISEBALANCING,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/496,912 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,185,569), filed Sep. 25, 2014,and titled “FACILITATION OF SELF-ADJUSTING NETWORK UPLINK NOISEBALANCING,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/686,742 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,874,127), filed Nov. 27, 2012,and titled “FACILITATION OF SELF-ADJUSTING NETWORK UPLINK NOISEBALANCING,” the entireties of each of which applications are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to wireless communications and, alsogenerally, to various embodiments that facilitate uplink noise balancingvia self-adjusting networks.

BACKGROUND

Frequency division duplex wireless networks use separate yet pairedspectrum for uplink and downlink communication. Reception on the uplinkis important for a number of reasons including, but not limited to,transmission of user data from the mobile device to another destination,and signaling and call maintenance functions impacting both uplink anddownlink paths. For example, radio link access, quality feedback,transmission control protocol (TCP) and flow control feedback, failuretimers and handover are all dependent upon uplink reception at the BSdevice, even in cases in which the majority of content is transmittedand/or received over the downlink.

Additionally, inadequate uplink reception can result in call drops (evenin cases in which the downlink is ideal) and call setup accessibilityimpacts. Call setup accessibility impacts can be severe because, amobile device may camp on the best cell from a downlink perspectivewithout any indication as to whether the uplink is adequate for callsetup. As such, if the uplink is or becomes impaired, the network maynot receive uplink call setup requests from the mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system in which uplink noise balancing canbe facilitated in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system that facilitates processing foruplink noise balancing in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example data storage that facilitates processingfor uplink noise balancing in accordance with embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example embodiment of a scenario in which theuplink and downlink paths are balanced and uplink noise balancing is notemployed in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example embodiment of a scenario in which theuplink and downlink paths are imbalanced and uplink noise balancing canbe employed in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example embodiment of a scenario in which theuplink and downlink paths are balanced employing uplink noise balancingin accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate example flowcharts of methods that facilitateprocessing for uplink noise balancing in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a computer operable to facilitateprocessing for uplink noise balancing in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

As used in this application, in some embodiments, the terms “component,”“system” and the like are intended to refer to, or include, acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatuswith one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can beeither hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executableinstructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration andnot limitation, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component. One or more components may reside within a processand/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition,these components can execute from various computer readable media havingvarious data structures stored thereon. The components may communicatevia local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signalhaving one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systemsvia the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatuswith specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated byelectric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software orfirmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor canbe internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can include a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. While various components have been illustrated asseparate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components canbe implemented as a single component, or a single component can beimplemented as multiple components, without departing from exampleembodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “mobile device equipment,” “mobile station,”“mobile,” subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,”“mobile device” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) canrefer to a wireless device utilized by a subscriber or mobile device ofa wireless communication service to receive or convey data, control,voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream. The foregoing terms are utilized interchangeablyherein and with reference to the related drawings. Likewise, the terms“access point (AP),” “Base Station (BS),” “Node B,” “evolved Node B(eNode B),” “home Node B (HNB)” and the like, are utilizedinterchangeably in the application, and refer to a wireless networkcomponent or appliance that transmits and/or receives data, control,voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from one or more subscriber stations. Data andsignaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “mobile device,” “subscriber,” “customer,”“consumer” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unlesscontext warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms), which canprovide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Embodiments described herein can be exploited in substantially anywireless communication technology, including, but not limited to,Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Enhanced General PacketRadio Service (Enhanced GPRS), Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), Third Generation Partnership Project 2(3GPP2) Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA),Zigbee and other 802.XX wireless technologies and/or legacytelecommunication technologies. Further, the term “femto” and “femtocellcarrier” are used interchangeably, and the terms “macro” and “macrocellcarrier” are used interchangeably.

The mobile device transmit power on the uplink can be limited by deviceform factor, battery power and/or device radiation exposure limits. Assuch, BS device receivers are typically designed to have highsensitivity and include complex diversity, combining and interferencecancellation techniques. In spite of these techniques and designs, BSdevice receivers may still be impacted by foreign uplink interferencesources that raise the uplink received noise floor. This uplinkinterference can be especially problematic for 700 megahertz (MHz) LTEcarriers, which may use spectrum vacated by high power ultra highfrequency (UHF) television transmitters. Typical sources of 700 MHzuplink interference includes, but is not limited to, televisiontransmitters, broadcast video (e.g., MediaFLO), faulty cable televisionsystems, faulty fluorescent lighting components, wireless microphones,intermodulation effects caused by co-location of high power 1900 MHztransmitters, 850 MHz transmitters, adaptive wireless solution (AWS)transmitters and 700 MHz transmitters.

With an elevated noise floor, the BS device may be unable to decodeuplink transmissions from mobile devices located at the cell edge, thusincreasing the likelihood of poor performance and dropped calls. Anelevated noise floor can also cause the mobile device power to risefaster than normal, thus impacting battery life of the mobile device andcausing uplink interference for neighboring BS devices. Finally, in themost extreme cases, an elevated noise floor can cause a BS device tocollect idle mode mobile devices in areas in which call setup is notpossible due to jammed receivers. In this case, a mobile device may notbe able to make a call.

BS device interference cancellation techniques can employ de-correlatedreceive antenna pairs to detect and cancel uplink interference fromvarious sources. Unfortunately these techniques also use receivediversity antenna pairs for interference cancellation and receiverdiversity link budget gains may be lost.

Traditional uplink interference detection techniques measure wideband orchannelized noise without any intelligence about the source of thenoise. As such, uplink interference may be falsely reported due tonormal user traffic in the area. Such false reporting can have asignificant impact on LTE systems since a single mobile device canoccupy large portions of the total uplink spectrum for extended periodsin order to maximize throughput and minimize latency, and shutdown ofsectors can occur as a result of false reporting.

LTE-Advanced asymmetrical carrier aggregation and asymmetrical carrierinterference avoidance can allow for the active mode use of downlinkresources from LTE carriers with impaired or no uplink radio paths. Forexample, the uplink impaired carriers can be used as downlink-onlycomponent carriers that are used only in tandem with symmetrical anchorcarriers. The uplink traffic and control can be steered towards theanchor carrier and away from the uplink impaired component carrier.Unfortunately this technique is only used in the active mode. As such,it is still possible for an idle mode mobile device to camp on an LTEcarrier that is unable to process call setup requests from the mobiledevice in the uplink direction due to interference.

Various embodiments described herein can automatically detect, adapt toand/or mitigate the effects of foreign uplink interference in frequencydivision duplex wireless networks. Specifically, systems and methodsdescribed herein can proactively identify foreign uplink interferenceand scale the service area of a BS device to mitigate the risk ofimpaired uplink for active mode and idle mode mobile devices. Whilecorrection can be applied for LTE systems, in other embodiments, thesystems and methods of correction described herein can be applied forany frequency division duplex technology. In one or more embodiments, amethod can include: detecting, at a system comprising a processor,uplink noise on an uplink channel to a first base station device;determining, by the system, whether the uplink noise includes foreigninterference, wherein the foreign interference comprises interferencefrom a device that operates outside of a communication system withinwhich the first base station device operates; and modifying, by thesystem, a first service area of the first base station device based ondetermining that the uplink noise includes foreign interference, whereinthe modifying comprises reducing the first service area to a secondservice area by excluding a portion of an imbalance region in the firstservice area, wherein the imbalance region is a region determined tohave satisfied an imbalance criterion. In some embodiments, theimbalance criterion can mean an area of the cell exists from whichcommunications from the first base station device can be reliablyreceived while communications to the first base station device (from thesame area) cannot be reliably received.

In one or more embodiments, a computer-readable storage medium can storecomputer-executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause asystem comprising a processor to perform operations. The operations caninclude: detecting uplink noise on an uplink channel of a first one of aplurality of base station devices; determining that the uplink noiseincludes foreign interference from a source other than a mobile deviceserved by any of the plurality of base station devices; and reducing acoverage area of the first one of the plurality of base station devicesto exclude an imbalance region, wherein the imbalance region is a regiondetermined to have become imbalanced as a result of the foreigninterference based on an evaluation of an imbalance criterion.

In one or more embodiments, a system can include a memory that storescomputer-executable instructions, and a processor, communicativelycoupled to the memory, that facilitates execution of computer-executableinstructions to perform operations comprising: detecting uplink noise onan uplink channel to a first base station device; determining whetherthe uplink noise includes interference from a source other than a mobiledevice; and modifying a first service area of the first base stationdevice based on determining that the uplink noise includes interferencefrom the source, wherein the modifying comprises reducing the firstservice area to exclude an imbalance region in the first service area,wherein the imbalance region is a region determined to have satisfied animbalance criterion.

One or more embodiments can detect excess uplink interference and enablecontinued use of an impaired cell associated with a BS device over areduced service area until the excess uplink interference problem isresolved. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the systems andmethods can increase the likelihood that idle mode mobile devices onlycamp on a cell having a BS device that is generally able to decodeuplink transmissions (e.g., call setup requests) from the mobile device.Finally, in one or more embodiments, the systems and methods can allowthe full use of downlink resources and power for LTE-Advanced carrieraggregation in the active mode yet reduce the likelihood of use of anuplink impaired cell in the idle mode.

FIG. 1 is an example system 100 in which processing for uplink noisebalancing can be facilitated in accordance with embodiments shown. Thesystem 100 can include an uplink noise balancing system 102, a pluralityof BS devices 104, 106 configured to serve service areas 108, 110,respectively, one or more mobile devices 112, 114, 116, 118 and aforeign noise source 120. BS device 104 is associated with cell 108 andserves mobile devices 112, 114, while BS device 106 is associated withcell 110 and serves mobile devices 116, 118. In the embodimentsdescribed, the system 100 can provide service to active mode and idlemode mobile devices.

As used herein, the foreign noise source 120 can be any device otherthan the mobile devices served by the BS device 104 (e.g., mobiledevices 112, 114) and served by other BS devices (e.g., BS device 106)(e.g., mobile devices 116, 118). For example, the foreign noise source120 can include, but is not limited to, devices that transmit and/orreceive information on spectrum vacated by UHF television transmitters(e.g., analog television transmitters), broadcast video (e.g.,MediaFLO), faulty cable television systems, faulty fluorescent lightingcomponents, wireless microphones, intermodulation effects caused byco-location of high power 1900 MHz transmitters, 850 MHz transmitters,adaptive wireless solution (AWS) transmitters and/or 700 MHztransmitters.

The interference contributed to the uplink channel to a BS device (e.g.,BS device 104) from the foreign noise source 120 can be considered to beforeign interference in various embodiments. As such, an uplink noisebalancing system 102 determining whether foreign interference exists candetermine whether interference on an uplink to the BS device appears toinclude interference from the foreign noise source 120.

The uplink noise balancing system 102 can be electrically and/orcommunicative coupled to the BS devices 104, 106 in various embodiments.However, in some embodiments, the uplink noise balancing system 102 canbe included as a part of (and be located at) one or more of BS devices104, 106. In some embodiments, each BS device 104, 106 can include anuplink noise balancing system having structure and/or functionality suchas that described herein for uplink noise balancing system 102.

The uplink noise balancing system 102 can detect uplink noiseexperienced on the uplink channel by the BS devices 104, 106. The uplinknoise can be detected as a result of communications on the uplink fromthe mobile devices 112, 114, 116, 118 and as a result of informationtransmitted from (or broadcast from) the foreign noise source 120. Assuch, the uplink noise detected by the uplink noise balancing system 102can include foreign interference in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the foreign interference can result in excessiveuplink noise. In some embodiments, excessive uplink noise can be uplinknoise that is greater than or approximately equal to a defined value,which can change from time to time and/or be constant valuepre-programmed during the configuration of the BS device 104. Forexample, the defined value can be adjusted based on the time of day, dayof month, month of year, current and/or historical traffic conditionsand/or current or historical mobile device interference.

In some embodiments, however, excessive uplink noise can be uplink noisehaving a value that reduces an uplink service area of the BS device 104to a region that is less than a downlink service area for the BS device104. The uplink service area of the BS device 104 can be the servicearea over which the BS device 104 can successfully receive uplinktransmissions (e.g., uplink call setup requests) at a definedreliability. The downlink service area of the BS device 104 can be theservice area over which a mobile device (e.g., mobile device 112, 114)can successfully receive downlink transmissions at a definedreliability. The defined reliability values for the uplink and thedownlink can be any suitable value as dictated by the designer of system100.

Because the uplink noise can be excessive enough to have a value thatreduces an uplink service area of the BS device 104 to a region that isless than a downlink service area for the BS device 104, an imbalanceregion 122 exists in the gap between the uplink service area and thedownlink service area for the BS device 104.

For example, with reference to FIG. 1, BS device 104 can have a downlinkservice area of service area 108 and uplink service area of 109. Assuch, the imbalance region 122 can be formed and mobile devices (e.g.,mobile device 114) may have a low likelihood of having successful uplinktransmissions that the BS device 104 is able to decode. Accordingly,call setup requests, for example, may not be successfully received bythe BS device 104 from mobile device 114.

To address this imbalance between the uplink and the downlink reception,the uplink noise balancing system 102 can cause the BS device 104 toadjust downlink power, and/or cause re-selection parameters to bebroadcast to reduce the range of the BS device 104, such that mobiledevice 114 performs handover to or re-selects a new cell (e.g., cell110). In various embodiments, the uplink noise balancing system 102 canalso cause the BS device 106 to adjust downlink power and/orre-selection parameters broadcast to reduce the likelihood that a mobiledevice that re-selects to cell 110 will not immediately re-select backto cell 108 upon the broadcast of re-selection parameters and/oradjustment of downlink power from BS device 106. Accordingly, acoordinated effort that takes into account a BS device and a neighboringBS device can be employed as described with greater detail withreference to FIG. 2.

The uplink noise balancing system 102 will be described in greaterdetail with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 4C. FIG. 2 illustratesan example system that facilitates processing for uplink noise balancingin accordance with embodiments described herein. FIG. 3 illustrates anexample data storage (e.g., data storage 300) that facilitatesprocessing for uplink noise balancing in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein.

Turning first to FIGS. 2 and 3, the uplink noise balancing system 200can include a communication component 202, an uplink detection component204, an uplink noise balancing component 206, an uplink noise checkingcomponent 208, a memory 210, a processor 212 and/or data storage 214. Insome embodiments, one or more of the communication component 202, anuplink detection component 204, an uplink noise balancing component 206,an uplink noise checking component 208, a memory 210, a processor 212and/or data storage 214 can be electrically and/or communicativelycoupled to one another to perform one or more functions of the uplinknoise balancing system 200.

In various embodiments, one or more of the structure and/orfunctionality of uplink noise balancing system 200 can be or include thestructure and/or functionality of uplink noise balancing system 102described with reference to FIG. 1 (and vice versa).

The communication component 202 can transmit and/or receive informationto and/or from a BS device (e.g., BS device 104 described and shown withreference to FIG. 1) and/or to one or more mobile devices served by theBS device 104. For example, the communication component 202 can transmitnoise balancing information generated by the uplink noise balancingsystem 102. The information can include, but is not limited to, adjusteddownlink power level information (or information for performingadjustment of the downlink power level at the BS device), and/orre-selection parameter values for broadcast to mobile devices (orinformation for performing adjustment of the re-selection parametervalues).

In various embodiments, the communication component 102 can receiveinformation indicative of uplink signals received at a BS device. Forexample, the communication component 102 can receive information thatcan be employed by the uplink noise balancing system 200 to determinethe uplink noise and whether the uplink noise includes foreigninterference from a foreign noise source (e.g., foreign noise source120).

By way of example, but not limitation, the foreign noise source 120 caninclude, but is not limited to, noise from sources other than mobiledevices served by the BS devices, noise from devices that transmitand/or receive information on spectrum vacated by UHF televisiontransmitters (e.g., analog television transmitters), broadcast video(e.g., MediaFLO), faulty cable television systems, faulty fluorescentlighting components, wireless microphones, intermodulation effectscaused by co-location of high power 1900 MHz transmitters, 850 MHztransmitters, adaptive wireless solution (AWS) transmitters and/or 700MHz transmitters.

The uplink noise detection component 204 can detect or determine theuplink noise on the uplink channel to the BS device (e.g., BS device104). While embodiments described herein may refer to “uplink noise,” indifferent embodiments, the average uplink noise can be determined andemployed to perform the uplink noise balancing systems and/or methodsdescribed herein.

In various embodiments, the uplink noise detection component 204 candetermine whether the uplink noise includes a contribution from aforeign noise source. For example, in some embodiments, the uplink noisedetection component 204 can compare the amount of uplink noise to anuplink noise reference value. If the uplink noise is greater than orequal to the uplink noise reference value, the uplink noise detectioncomponent 204 can determine that the uplink noise includes acontribution from a foreign noise source.

In various embodiments, the uplink noise reference value can bedetermined by the uplink noise detection component 204 and/or by the BSdevice associated with a cell by historical information about the uplinknoise obtained by past monitoring of mobile devices in the served andneighboring cells. As such, the uplink noise reference value can beupdated from time to time as traffic conditions change and/or duringdifferent times of day, days of week and/or days of month or year whenthe uplink noise reference value typically changes. In variousembodiments, employing historical information can reduce the likelihoodof erroneously determining that foreign interference exists when thenoise is resultant from mobile devices for the cell and/or forneighboring cells.

In some embodiments, prior to determining whether the uplink noiseincludes a contribution from a foreign noise source, the uplink noisedetection component 204 can filter the uplink noise. In someembodiments, the uplink noise detection component 204 can filter theuplink noise by any number of different methods.

In one embodiment, the uplink noise detection component 204 can filterthe uplink noise by aggregating uplink noise reports during idleTransmission Time Interval (TTI). Idle TTI can be TTI for which therehave been no uplink grants for resources (e.g., a physical resourceblock (PRB) associated with a cell). Idle TTI information is likely tobe available due to the bursty nature of uplink wireless data traffic.However, if idle TTI information is not available, the uplink noisedetection component 204 can artificially generate idle TTI by declininguplink grants for brief time intervals.

The uplink noise detection component 204 can trigger the generation ofartificially idle intervals periodically and/or based on the occurrenceof a condition. For example, the uplink noise detection component 204can trigger the generation of artificially idle intervals based onreceipt of information indicating an increase in uplink noise (or anincrease in average uplink noise).

In one embodiment, the uplink noise detection component 204 can filterthe uplink noise of mobile devices served on a neighboring cell bymonitoring load indication messages (e.g., X2 load indication messages)from known neighboring BS devices. For example, load indication messagestypically employed for Inter Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) canbe employed.

The uplink noise detection component 204 can employ the ICIC messages todetermine if mobile devices for neighboring cells exist. In someembodiments, uplink noise measurements are included in the uplink noiseaverage only if the serving BS device detects idle TTI (e.g., no servedmobile devices are active) and the load indicator messages from allneighboring BS devices are below a defined value that indicates that noneighboring mobile devices are active.

As before, if random burstiness does not provide adequate idle samplesfor reliable uplink noise filtering (and subsequent measuring), theuplink noise detection component 204 can coordinate artificial blank TTIin which one or more (or all) grants are declined by the BS device andthe neighboring BS devices. This mechanism can reuse X2 interferencecoordination mechanisms to trigger artificial idle TTI for a BS deviceand all neighboring BS devices.

If the uplink noise (or, in some embodiments, the average of the uplinknoise) is greater than or equal to the uplink noise reference value, theuplink noise detection component 204 can determine that a foreign noisesource is contributing to the uplink noise received by the BS device. Ifthe uplink noise (or, in some embodiments, the average of the uplinknoise) is less than the uplink noise reference value, the uplink noisedetection component 204 can determine that a foreign noise source is notcontributing to the uplink noise received by the BS device.

In some embodiments, the uplink noise detection component 204 candetermine whether the uplink noise has a contribution from a foreignnoise source by evaluating the pattern or other characteristics of theuplink noise. For example, uplink noise measurements can average ˜−116dBm in some embodiments. With this uplink noise and full downlink powerfrom the BS device, the uplink noise detection component 204 candetermine that the uplink and downlink paths of the cell are balancedbecause the uplink and downlink service areas are substantially equal.

However, if the uplink noise rises above the uplink noise referencevalue, the uplink service area will be less than the downlink servicearea. For example, if the uplink noise or the uplink average noise is−110 dB, the uplink service area will be approximately 6 dB smaller thanthe downlink service area. As such, there will be a 6 db band ofdownlink coverage for which uplink coverage is inadequate ornon-existent. The 6 dB band of coverage can be the imbalance region 122of FIG. 1. A BS device for the cell may not be able to receivetransmissions from a mobile device in the imbalance region. Further,leaving the uplink impaired cell at full power can add unnecessarydownlink interference and dropped call risk for the cell.

In order to eliminate and/or reduce the imbalance region in cases inwhich the cells are non-aggregated, the uplink noise detection component204 can trigger a power attenuation alarm. In response to the alarm, theuplink noise balancing component 206 can reduce downlink coverage by 6dB.

Downlink coverage can be reduced via automatic power reduction by anamount based upon the rise in the uplink noise (or average uplinknoise). For example, the downlink power can be automatically reduced bythe same number of dB as the noise rise above the uplink noise referencevalue (or the average uplink noise rise above the uplink noise referencevalue). Cell power can automatically return to normal after the noisesource is eliminated.

As another example, if the uplink noise includes a stable noise sourcefor a defined amount of time (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes), the uplinknoise detection component 204 can determine that a foreign noise sourceexists as a foreign noise source is likely to appear as uplink noise tothe BS device for the entirety of the time that the foreign noise sourceis powered on.

With reference to FIG. 3, the uplink noise detected and/or informationindicative of the uplink noise detected can be stored in the uplinknoise information 302 stored in data storage 300. Information about theforeign noise can be stored as foreign noise information 306, and theuplink noise reference value and/or the defined amount of time that astable noise is detected by the BS device for determination that aforeign noise source exists can be stored as uplink noise referenceinformation 304 in the data storage 300.

Turning back to FIG. 2, the uplink balancing component 206 can balance acell such that the number of mobile devices in the imbalance region iszero or reduced relative to a number of mobile devices in the imbalanceregion prior to detection of the imbalance region. The uplink balancingcomponent 206 can scale the service area of a BS device with animbalance region based on the determination by the uplink noisedetection component 204 that the uplink noise detected includes foreigninterference. For example, the uplink balancing component 206 can reducethe service of the BS device to exclude one or more portions of theimbalance region in some embodiments.

To scale the service area of the BS device, the uplink balancingcomponent 206 can cause the reduction of downlink power and/oradjustment of re-selection parameter values. The approach employed canbe based on whether the cells are aggregated or non-aggregated.

In systems in which the cells are not aggregated (and the system servesfull duplex traffic for the entire service area), to scale the servicearea of the BS device, the uplink balancing component 206 can cause theBS device to reduce the downlink power from the BS device by aparticular amount and/or to a particular power level. The amount bywhich the downlink power is reduced can be approximately equal to theamount by which the uplink noise (or the average uplink noise) exceedsthe uplink noise reference value for example.

For example, if the uplink noise (or the average uplink noise) exceedsthe uplink noise reference value by 6 dBm, the uplink balancingcomponent 206 can generate information to cause the BS device to reducethe downlink power from the BS device by approximately 6 dB. Withreference to FIG. 3, the first and/or second downlink power valuesand/or equations for or information associated with reducing downlinkpower can be stored as downlink power information 308 of data storage300.

In some embodiments, adjustment of the downlink power from the BS devicecan be employed in systems in which carrier aggregation (e.g.,LTE-Advanced carrier aggregation) is not employed while adjustment tore-selection parameters can be employed in systems in which carrieraggregation is employed.

Turning back to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, if the cells areaggregated, asymmetrical and, in some cases, simplex carriers can beemployed for the downlink only. In the active mode, a cell having animbalance region can be used as a downlink-only component carrier aslong as a path-balanced anchor carrier is available to handle duplex (orperhaps even uplink-only) transmission and reception. In this case,downlink power reduction can balance the uplink and the downlink pathsby reducing the size of the effective downlink service area andthroughput. This cost can be avoided or the likelihood of experiencingsuch cost can be reduced by using the non-impaired anchor carrier (e.g.,the anchor carrier that does not have an imbalance region) for theuplink transmissions, and using a full power (yet uplink-impaired)carrier for the downlink transmissions. This can provide a higher activemode carrier aggregation benefit in the downlink channel.

However, in order to reduce the risk of an idle mode mobile devicecamping on an uplink-impaired cell (e.g., a cell having an imbalanceregion), the uplink balancing component 206 can adjust the value of oneor more re-selection parameters to cause the idle mode mobile devices inthe imbalance region to re-select away from the impaired cell towards anon-impaired cell.

As such, in some embodiments, the re-selection parameters broadcast canbe idle mode re-selection parameters broadcast to idle mode mobiledevices to cause the idle mobile devices in the imbalance region tore-select a new cell on which to camp. In this regard, the impairedsector carrier with the imbalance region can be used as a downlink-onlycomponent carrier while avoiding or reducing the likelihood of idle modemobile devices camping in a cell in which the uplink is impaired.

For example, in the above-described example in which the average uplinknoise reference value is approximately −116 dBm, uplink noise or theuplink average noise is −110 dB, and the uplink service area is 6 dBsmaller than the downlink service area (resulting in a 6 db imbalanceregion), a range reduction alarm can be generated by the uplink noisedetecting component 204. In response, the uplink balancing component 206can adjust the value of one or more re-selection parameters broadcast toidle mode mobile devices such that idle mode mobile devices in theimbalance range re-select to a new cell.

For example, mobile devices in a cell can monitor system informationbroadcasts (SIBs) that include information identifying neighbor cellsand re-selection criterion for the serving cell and the neighbor cell.In some embodiments, the SIBs can include information indicatingthresholds that trigger inter-cell re-selection to cause a mobile devicein a first cell to then perform handover to or re-select a second cell.

In various embodiments, the re-selection parameters can include, but arenot limited to, the absolute signal strength and relative signalstrength. For example, absolute signal strength can be a thresholdcommunicated in the information broadcast to the mobile devices to tellthe mobile devices to select a certain cell if the absolute signalstrength for the cell is greater than a particular value. Because amobile device in the imbalance region may not detect an absolute signalstrength from the BS device for the cell that is higher than theparticular value, the mobile device will re-select to a new cell.

As another example, relative signal strength information can includeinformation that causes the mobile device to select a cell having thestrongest signal strength at the mobile device.

With reference to FIG. 3, the absolute signal strength informationand/or values, relative signal strength information and/or values,information for adjusting the absolute signal strength information,information for adjusting the relative signal strength informationand/or the identification of cells and corresponding relative signalstrength information can be stored as re-selection parameter information310 in data storage 300.

Similarly, in some embodiments, the neighboring cell re-selectionmargins can be adjusted by the uplink noise balancing component 206 todiscourage re-selection back towards the impaired cell from theneighboring cell. In this case, the net result is the idle mode servicearea can be limited to the effective uplink service area only yet thenon-impaired downlink resources can be used to or near the cell edge foractive mode mobile devices.

The uplink noise detection component 204 can monitor the uplink noiseperiodically at the same or varying intervals. For example, the uplinknoise detection component 204 can monitor the uplink noise after adefined number of minutes, daily or weekly. The time during which theuplink noise is monitored can be defined and/or dynamically updated inthe configuration of the uplink noise detection component 204.

In some embodiments, the uplink noise detection component 204 can beconfigured to monitor the uplink noise upon the occurrence of one ormore defined conditions. The defined condition can be a function of anynumber of different factors. For example, historical informationconcerning dates or times of day when foreign interference has beendetected can inform the uplink noise detection component 204 to triggeruplink noise monitoring. In various embodiments, for example, if foreigninterference has been detected after 7 p.m. on weekdays, the uplinknoise detection component 204 can utilize such historical informationand generate information to cause the uplink noise detection component204 to monitor uplink noise at the BS device after 7 p.m. on weekdays.Similarly, if foreign interference has been detected during time periodscorresponding to heavy traffic patterns in a cell, the uplink noisedetection component 204 can utilize such historical information andgenerate information to cause the uplink noise detection component 204to monitor uplink noise at the BS device when defined traffic patternsoccur (e.g., when defined traffic levels exceed a defined threshold).

If the uplink noise detection component 204 determines that the foreigninterference does not exist, the information can be provided to theuplink noise balancing component 206. The uplink noise balancingcomponent 206 can generate information to cause the downlink power fromthe BS device and/or the re-selection parameter values to be re-adjustedto values prior to the uplink noise detection component 204 determiningthat the foreign interference existed in the cell. The BS device canthen output the adjusted downlink power and/or cause new re-selectionparameter values to be broadcast to cause mobile devices that were inthe imbalance region in a first cell and that had re-selected to asecond cell, to perform handover back to, or re-select back to, thefirst cell.

The memory 210 can be a computer-readable storage medium storingcomputer-executable instructions and/or information for performing thefunctions described herein with reference to the uplink noise balancingsystem 200. Processor 212 can perform one or more of the functionsdescribed herein with reference to the uplink noise balancing system200.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example embodiment of a scenario in which theuplink and downlink path are balanced and uplink noise balancing is notemployed because no imbalance region exists between the uplink path andthe downlink path.

The uplink service area 400 and the downlink service area 402 areeffectively matched as shown by the ovals of substantially equal area.As such, no imbalance region exists. Accordingly, mobile devices 404,406, 408, 410 in a region 412 near the edge 414 of the cell can transmitinformation on the uplink that can be successfully received by the BSdevice at a defined reliability.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example embodiment of a scenario in which theuplink and downlink path are imbalanced in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein. FIG. 4C illustrates an example embodiment of ascenario in which the uplink and downlink path are re-balanced employinguplink noise balancing in accordance with embodiments described herein.

In the scenario shown in FIG. 4B, foreign interference (e.g., fromforeign noise source 416) has been detected and an imbalance region 412exists. The uplink service area 400 is less than the downlink servicearea 402 as shown by the ovals of different areas thereby resulting inthe imbalance region 412. Accordingly, mobile devices 404, 406, 408, 410in the imbalance region 413 near the edge 414 of the cell may not beable to transmit information on the uplink that can be successfullyreceived by the BS device at a defined reliability. As such, forexample, call setup requests may not be received successfully by the BSdevice.

To perform uplink noise balancing, a determination can be made as to anamount by which the uplink and the downlink are imbalanced, and thedownlink power transmitted by the BS device can be reduced to cause theuplink and the downlink power to be substantially equal. As such, thenew downlink transmit power from the BS device can cause mobile devices408, 410, 406, 404 to perform handover to a new cell.

In some embodiments, a determination can be made as to an amount bywhich to adjust the value of the re-selection parameter (e.g., absolutesignal strength or relative signal strength) to cause mobile devices408, 410, 406, 404 to perform re-selection to a new cell.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate example flowcharts of methods that facilitateprocessing for uplink noise balancing in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein. Turning first to FIG. 5, at 502, method 500 caninclude detecting uplink noise on an uplink channel to a first BSdevice. At 504, method 500 can include determining whether the uplinknoise includes foreign interference, wherein the foreign interferencecomprises interference from a device that operates outside of acommunication system within which the first base station deviceoperates. In some embodiments, determining whether the uplink noiseincludes foreign interference includes determining whether the uplinknoise to the first BS device meets a defined condition.

In some embodiments, the defined condition can be the value of theuplink noise (or average value of the uplink noise) being greater than adefined uplink noise reference value. If the value of the uplink noise(or average value of the uplink noise) is greater than the defineduplink noise reference value, a determination can be made that foreigninterference exists (or the effects are at least detected) within thecell associated with the first BS.

In some embodiments, the defined condition can be the uplink noisehaving such a value as to reduce an uplink service area of the first BSto a region that is less than the downlink service area for the firstBS. As a result, an imbalance region can exist in the gap between theuplink service area and the downlink service area.

In some embodiments, the defined condition can be the pattern of uplinknoise indicating the presence of foreign interference. For example, insome embodiments, uplink traffic (and corresponding uplink noise) from amobile device tends to be bursty. For example, a primary type ofcommunication from the mobile device to a BS device is a call setuprequest, which is intermittent and, as a result, generally results in asingle burst of traffic and corresponding noise. As another example,another type of communication from the mobile device to the BS device isa request for data (e.g., request to receive information associated witha webpage). Again, these requests are typically intermittent and resultin a burst of traffic and corresponding noise.

While these types of traffic on the uplink typically have a pattern ofburstiness, foreign noise sources can exhibit other types of noisepatterns detected by the BS device. For example, in the case of analogtelevision sources, the sources tend to have a steady output of noisethat can be detected by the BS device for the entire duration of theforeign noise source being powered on. As such, in some embodiments, theBS device can detect the presence of a foreign noise source bydetermining whether the pattern of uplink noise detected at the BSdevice is a pattern of steady or fairly constant noise over a definedperiod of time such as that typically associated with a foreign noisesource.

At 506, method 500 can include modifying a first service area of thefirst BS device based on determining that the uplink noise includesforeign interference, wherein the modifying includes reducing the firstservice area to a second service area by excluding at least a portion of(or, in some embodiments, the entirety of) an imbalance region in thefirst service area. In various embodiments, the imbalance region can bea region determined to have satisfied an imbalance criterion.

Methods of scaling the service area of the first BS device can be asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. Turning now to FIG. 6, at602, method 600 can include reducing an amount of downlink power fromthe first BS device from a first downlink power to a second downlinkpower. The reduction in downlink power can be based on determining thatthe uplink noise to the first BS device meets a defined condition.

In some embodiments, the defined condition can be the uplink noise, oraverage uplink noise, being greater than a defined uplink noisereference value. In some embodiments, the defined condition can be theuplink noise, or average uplink noise, exhibiting a pattern indicativeof foreign interference from a foreign noise source.

The second downlink power can be a power that provides communicationfrom the BS device to mobile devices within the reduced, second servicearea (and that therefore, in some embodiments, does not providecommunication to the mobile devices in the imbalance region).

At 604, method 600 can include facilitating transfer to a cellassociated with a second BS device, for a mobile device in the imbalanceregion. The reduced downlink power can cause the mobile devices in theimbalance region to transfer to a new cell in various embodiments. Forexample, in some embodiments, the downlink power can be reduced suchthat a mobile device in the imbalance region of the cell associated withthe BS device reducing the downlink power no longer receives downlinktransmissions from the BS device. In this case, the mobile device canthen perform handover to or re-select a new cell (e.g., cell 110associated with BS device 106 of FIG. 1).

Turning now to FIG. 7, at 702, method 700 can include determining thatthe uplink noise fails to include the foreign interference. In variousembodiments, the foreign interference can be generated by sourcesincluding, but not limited to, analog televisions and/or systems,broadcast video systems, faulty cable television systems, faultyfluorescent lighting components, wireless microphones, co-located highpower 1900 MHz transmitters, 850 MHz transmitters, AWS transmittersand/or 700 MHz transmitters.

In some embodiments, a determination can be made based on whether theaverage uplink noise detected at the BS device is less than a definedreference value associated with the presence of a foreign noise sourceand/or based on whether the pattern of uplink noise detected at the BSdevice no longer indicates the presence of a foreign noise source. Forexample, the pattern can indicate bursty traffic on the uplink to the BSdevice as opposed to uplink noise over a defined amount of time (e.g.,10 minutes).

At 704, method 700 can include adjusting the downlink power from thefirst BS device to the first downlink power based on the determiningthat the uplink noise fails to include the foreign interference. Forexample, if the uplink noise no longer includes the foreigninterference, the downlink power can be re-adjusted to the value of thefirst downlink power or to a value that is higher than the value of thereduced, second downlink power.

In embodiments in which the downlink power is re-adjusted to the valueof the first downlink power, the service area for the BS device cancorrespondingly increase back to the original service area (e.g., theservice area covered by the entire cell associated with the BS device).In embodiments in which the downlink power is re-adjusted to the valuethat is between the first downlink power and the second downlink power,the service area for the BS device can correspondingly increase from aservice area between the size of the original service and the size ofthe second, reduced service area.

Turning now to FIG. 8, at 802, method 800 can include adjusting a firstre-selection parameter associated with reducing a first range of thefirst BS device, wherein the first re-selection parameter is adjustedfrom a first value to a second value. For example, mobile devices in acell can monitor SIB s that include information identifying neighborcells and re-selection criterion for the serving cell and the neighborcell. In some embodiments, the SIBs can include information indicatingthresholds that trigger inter-cell re-selection to cause a mobile devicein a first cell to then perform handover to or re-select a second cell.

In various embodiments, the first re-selection parameter can includeabsolute or relative signal strength. For example, the signal strengththat causes a mobile device to bind to or leave a cell can be are-selection parameter value that is changed. In particular, theabsolute signal strength (or relative signal strength) can be athreshold value in the SIB received by the mobile devices that tell themobile devices to then perform handover to or re-select a second celland thereby move from a first cell if the absolute signal strength forthe second cell is greater than a particular value.

As another example, the relative signal strength can be information thattells the mobile device to then perform handover to or re-select asecond cell and thereby move from a first cell if the relative signalstrength between the first cell and the second cell indicates that thesecond cell has a stronger received signal at the mobile device.Accordingly, in some embodiments, with the change in parameter, the idlemobile devices camping on a first cell associated with a first BS devicecan be shifted to a second cell associated with a second BS device, forexample.

At 804, method 800 can include facilitating re-selection from the firstBS device, wherein the transfer is performed by a mobile device in theimbalance region based on adjusting the first re-selection parameter.Based on the downlink power from the BS device and/or based on the firstre-selection parameter transmitted by the BS device, the uplink noisebalancing system can facilitate the re-selection of the mobile device inthe imbalance region from a first cell to a second cell.

At 806, method 800 can include determining that the uplink noise failsto include the foreign interference. At 808, method 800 can includere-adjusting the first re-selection parameter to the first value basedon determining that the uplink noise fails to include the foreigninterference.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer operable to facilitate uplink noise balancing. For example, insome embodiments, the computer can be or be included within the uplinknoise balancing system 102, 200.

In order to provide additional context for various embodiments of theembodiments described herein, FIG. 9 and the following discussion areintended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computingenvironment 900 in which the various embodiments of the embodimentdescribed herein can be implemented. While the embodiments have beendescribed above in the general context of computer-executableinstructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that the embodiments can be also implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the various methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices. Further, thephrase “facilitates execution by a processor” as used herein can mean“execution or facilitating execution” by the processor, e.g., theprocessor can be carrying out an action, such as when processing datadirectly, or helping to carry out an action, such as when data isdisplayed, or transmitted.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data. Tangible and/or non-transitory computer-readablestorage media can include, but are not limited to, random access memory(RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable readonly memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compactdisk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices or other media that can beused to store desired information. Computer-readable storage media canbe accessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, e.g., viaaccess requests, queries or other data retrieval protocols, for avariety of operations with respect to the information stored by themedium.

In this regard, the term “tangible” herein as applied to storage, memoryor computer-readable media, is to be understood to exclude onlypropagating intangible signals per se as a modifier and does notrelinquish coverage of all standard storage, memory or computer-readablemedia that are not only propagating intangible signals per se.

In this regard, the term “non-transitory” herein as applied to storage,memory or computer-readable media, is to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as a modifier and does notrelinquish coverage of all standard storage, memory or computer-readablemedia that are not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 9, the example environment 900 forimplementing various embodiments of the embodiments described hereinincludes a computer 902, the computer 902 including a processing unit904, a system memory 906 and a system bus 908. The system bus 908couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 906 to the processing unit 904. The processing unit 904 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multi-processor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 904.

The system bus 908 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 906 includesROM 910 and RAM 912. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored ina non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read onlymemory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that helpto transfer information between elements within the computer 902, suchas during startup. The RAM 912 can also include a high-speed RAM such asstatic RAM for caching data.

The computer 902 further includes an internal hard disk drive 914, whichinternal hard disk drive 914 can also be configured for external use ina suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive 916, (e.g.,to read from or write to a removable diskette 918) and an optical diskdrive 920, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 922 or, to read from or write toother high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive914, magnetic disk drive 916 and optical disk drive 920 can be connectedto the system bus 908 by a hard disk drive interface 924, a magneticdisk drive interface 926 and an optical drive interface 928,respectively. The interface 924 for external drive implementationsincludes at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) andInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 902, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 912,including an operating system 930, one or more application programs 932,other program modules 934 and program data 936. All or portions of theoperating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cachedin the RAM 912. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A mobile device can enter commands and information into the computer 902through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 938and a pointing device, such as a mouse 940. Other input devices (notshown) can include a microphone, an infrared remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 904 through aninput device interface 942 that can be coupled to the system bus 908,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a USB port, an infrared interface,etc.

A monitor 944 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 908 via an interface, such as a video adapter 946. Inaddition to the monitor 944, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 902 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 948. The remotecomputer(s) 948 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer902, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 950is illustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 952 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 954. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which canconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 902 can beconnected to the local network 952 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 956. The adapter 956 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 952, which canalso include a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with thewireless adapter 956.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 902 can includea modem 958 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN954 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 954,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 958, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 908 via the input device interface 942. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 902 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 950. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 902 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can include Wireless Fidelity(Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, the communicationcan be a defined structure as with a conventional network or simply anad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a BS device. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, etc.) to provide secure,reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used toconnect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks(which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in theunlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11 Mbps (802.11a) or 54 Mbps(802.11b) data rate, for example or with products that contain bothbands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-world performancesimilar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in manyoffices.

The embodiments described herein can employ artificial intelligence tofacilitate automating one or more features described herein. Theembodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically identifying acquiredcell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after addition to anexisting communication network) can employ various artificialintelligence-based schemes for carrying out various embodiments thereof.Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a ranking orpriority of the each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier isa function that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . ., xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to prognose or infer an action that a mobile devicedesires to be automatically performed. A support vector machine is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The support vector machineoperates by finding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs,which the hypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria fromthe non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachesinclude, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing mobiledevice behavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, support vector machines can beconfigured via a learning or training phase within a classifierconstructor and feature selection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can beused to automatically learn and perform a number of functions, includingbut not limited to determining according to a predetermined criteriawhich of the acquired cell sites will benefit a maximum number ofsubscribers and/or which of the acquired cell sites will add minimumvalue to the existing communication network coverage, etc.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor, a fieldprogrammable gate array, a programmable logic controller, a complexprogrammable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scalearchitectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dotbased transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimize space usageor enhance performance of mobile device equipment. A processor can alsobe implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

Memory disclosed herein can include volatile memory or nonvolatilememory or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way ofillustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include ROM,programmable ROM, electrically programmable ROM EEPROM or flash memory.Volatile memory can include RAM, which acts as external cache memory. Byway of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many formssuch as static RAM, dynamic RAM, synchronous, dynamic RAM, double datarate synchronous dynamic RAM, enhanced synchronous dynamic RAM,Synchlink dynamic RAM, and direct RAM. The memory (e.g., data storages,databases) of the embodiments are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory machine-readable medium,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: detecting an uplinknoise on an uplink channel of a first base station, wherein a definedtype of external interference determined to be impacting operation ofthe first base station comprises interference from a device thatoperates outside of a communication system within which the first basestation device operates; and modifying a first service area of the firstbase station based on an outcome of determining whether the uplink noisecomprises the defined type of external interference.
 2. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the modifyingcomprises decreasing a first size of the first service area to a secondsize of a second service area smaller than the first size by removing aportion of an imbalance region in the first service area.
 3. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the imbalanceregion is determined to be located at a region between an uplink servicearea and a downlink service area.
 4. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 1, wherein the modifying comprises: reducing an amountof downlink power transmitted from the first base station from a firstdownlink power to a second downlink power.
 5. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the operations furthercomprise: as a result of the first downlink power being reduced to thesecond downlink power, facilitating a transfer of a mobile device in theimbalance region to a cell device associated with a second base station.6. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein themodifying comprises: changing a re-selection parameter associated withchanging a transmission range of the first base station.
 7. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, wherein a source ofthe external interference by the device comprises an analog signal.
 8. Amethod, comprising: detecting, by network equipment comprising aprocessor, an uplink noise on an uplink channel of a first base station,wherein a defined type of external interference determined to beimpacting operation of the first base station comprises interferencefrom a device that operates outside of a communication system withinwhich the first base station operates; and modifying, by the networkequipment, a first service area of the first base station based on anoutcome of determining whether the uplink noise comprises the definedtype of external interference.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein themodifying comprises decreasing a first size of the first service area toa second size of a second service area smaller than the first size byremoving a portion of an imbalance region in the first service area. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the imbalance region is determined to belocated at a region between an uplink service area and a downlinkservice area.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the modifyingcomprises: reducing an amount of downlink power transmitted from thefirst base station from a first downlink power to a second downlinkpower.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: as a result ofthe first downlink power being reduced to the second downlink power,facilitating, by the network equipment, a transfer of a mobile device inthe imbalance region to a cell device associated with a second basestation.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the modifying comprises:changing a re-selection parameter associated with changing atransmission range of the first base station.
 14. The method of claim 8,wherein a source of the external interference by the device comprises ananalog signal.
 15. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: detect an uplink noiseon an uplink channel of a first base station, wherein a defined type ofexternal interference determined to be impacting operation of the firstbase station comprises interference from a device that operates outsideof a communication network within which the first base station operates;and modify a first service area of the first base station based on anoutcome of determining whether the uplink noise comprises the definedtype of external interference.
 16. The system of claim 15, whereinmodification of the first service area comprises a decrease in a firstsize of the first service area to a second size of a second service areasmaller than the first size by removal of a portion of an imbalanceregion in the first service area.
 17. The system of claim 16, whereinthe imbalance region is determined to be located at a region between anuplink service area and a downlink service area.
 18. The system of claim15, wherein modification of the first service area comprises: areduction of an amount of downlink power transmitted from the first basestation from a first downlink power to a second downlink power.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise: as a resultof the first downlink power being reduced to the second downlink power,facilitating a handover of a mobile device in the imbalance region to acell device associated with a second base station.
 20. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the imbalance region is determined to be located at aregion between an uplink service area and a downlink service area.